Kastellorizo - Revision history

Irlandos at 15:48, November 14, 2008

2008-11-14T15:48:59Z

Irlandos: /* External links */

2006-02-09T18:08:00Z

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Irlandos at 13:07, November 11, 2005

2005-11-11T13:07:35Z

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'''Kastellorizo''' is a small [[Greece|Greek]] island less than 5 km off the south coast of Turkey, about 110 km east of [[Rhodes]]. It is the eastermost point of Greece. It has gone by several different names in its history, including '''Castellorizo''', '''Castelrosso''', and its current official name '''Megisti''' ("Biggest"), an ironic choice since, at only 4 square miles in area, it is the smallest of the [[Dodecanese]].

It was ceded to Italy in [[1922]]. During the [[1930s]] it was a stopover for the planes of Alitalia and Air France.

When Italy capitulated to the Allies in [[1943]], the island was occupied by British commandos until the middle of [[1944]], when German forces took over. During the British departure, a fuel dump caught fire and spread to an adjacent ammo dump, whose detonation destroyed half of the homes on the island.

Kastellórizo became part of Greece in [[1945]]. The population, once estimated at 15,000 in [[1900]], has dwindled to around 250, heavily subsidized so as to forestall territorial claims by Turkey. Much of the population emigrated to Australia, where they are known as "Kassies".

The island has been more visited in recent years, by tourists looking for an isolated Dodecanese island, also thanks to the reference in the Oscar winning movie "Mediterraneo" by Gabriele Salvatores.

== Postage stamps ==
In [[1920]], the French occupation forces issued stamps of the French Offices in Turkey overprinted '''O.N.F. / Castellorizo''', then with '''B.N.F. / CASTELLORIZO''' and then '''O F / CASTELLORISO''' oriented vertically. All of these overprints are uncommon, with prices ranging from US$10 up to over US$500 for some types.

Starting in 1922, the Italians overprinted their own stamps with '''CASTELROSSO'''. In [[1923]] they issued a series of five stamps depicting a map of the island and an Italian flag, then went back to more overprints on Italian stamps, with a regular issue in [[1924]], the Ferrucci issue in [[1930]], and the Garibaldi issue of [[1932]]. A few types are readily available unused and cost under US$1, but the others, and all used copies, are in the US$5-$10 range.

== External links ==

* [http://www.yachting-directory.com/AreaInformation/Greece/Kastellorizo/ Kastellorizo info for yachters]
* [http://www.arafura.net.au/greeksnt/kassie.html The Greeks of the Northern Territory of Australia]

[[Category:Islands of Greece]]
[[Category:Dodecanese]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:08, February 9, 2006
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	Starting in 1922, the Italians overprinted their own stamps with <small>'''CASTELROSSO'''</small>. In [[1923]] they issued a series of five stamps depicting a map of the island and an Italian flag, then went back to more overprints on Italian stamps, with a regular issue in [[1924]], the Ferrucci issue in [[1930]], and the Garibaldi issue of [[1932]]. A few types are readily available unused and cost under US$1, but the others, and all used copies, are in the US$5-$10 range.		Starting in 1922, the Italians overprinted their own stamps with <small>'''CASTELROSSO'''</small>. In [[1923]] they issued a series of five stamps depicting a map of the island and an Italian flag, then went back to more overprints on Italian stamps, with a regular issue in [[1924]], the Ferrucci issue in [[1930]], and the Garibaldi issue of [[1932]]. A few types are readily available unused and cost under US$1, but the others, and all used copies, are in the US$5-$10 range.
		+
		+	==The Isle of [[Ro]]==
		+
		+	Southwest of Kastellorizo is the tiny isle of Ro known because of [[Despina Achladiotou]] the famous "Lady of Ro".
		+
		+

	== External links ==		== External links ==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 '''Kastellorizo''' is a small [[Greece|Greek]] island less than 5 km off the south coast of Turkey, about 110 km east of [[Rhodes]].  It is the eastermost point of Greece. It has gone by several different names in its history, including '''Castellorizo''', '''Castelrosso''', and its current official name '''Megisti''' ("Biggest"), an ironic choice since, at only 4 square miles in area, it is the smallest of the [[Dodecanese]].
-It was ceded to Italy in [[1922]].  During the [[1930s]] it was a stopover for the planes of Alitalia and Air France.
+Kastellorizo has been populated since the Neolithic Age. It was colonised by the [[Dorians]] and given the name "Megisti" probably because it is the largest of the islands in the immediate area. The god [[Apollo]] was worshiped here and the ruins of his temple can still be seen. It was an ally of [[Athens]] and was occupied by the Persians. Later, it fell under the rule of neighbouring [[Rhodes]].
 When Italy capitulated to the Allies in [[1943]], the island was occupied by British commandos until the middle of [[1944]], when German forces took over.  During the British departure, a fuel dump caught fire and spread to an adjacent ammo dump, whose detonation destroyed half of the homes on the island.
-Kastellórizo became part of Greece in [[1945]].  The population, once estimated at 15,000 in [[1900]], has dwindled to around 250, heavily subsidized so as to forestall territorial claims by Turkey.  Much of the population emigrated to Australia, where they are known as "Kassies".
+Kastellorizo became part of Greece in [[1947]] along with the rest of the [[Dodecanese]].  The population, once estimated at 15,000 in [[1900]], has dwindled to around 250, heavily subsidized so as to forestall territorial claims by Turkey.  Much of the population emigrated to Australia, where they are known as "Kassies".
 The island has been more visited in recent years, by tourists looking for an isolated Dodecanese island, also thanks to the reference in the Oscar winning movie "Mediterraneo" by Gabriele Salvatores.